• There are harps that complain to the presence of night,
      To the presence of night alone—
      In a near and unchangeable tone—
    Like winds, full of sound, that go whispering by,
    As if some immortal had stooped from the sky,
      And breathed out a blessing—and flown!

    Yes! harps that complain to the breezes of night,
      To the breezes of night...

  • When stars pursue their solemn flight,
    Oft in the middle of the night,
    A strain of music visits me,
    Hushed in a moment silverly,—
    Such rich and rapturous strains as make
    The very soul of silence ache
    With longing for the melody;

    Or lovers in the distant dusk
    Of summer gardens, sweet as musk,
    Pouring the blissful burden...